Method for increasing the yield of beans

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to N-(R)-[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamide of the formula                    
     which is very suitable for increasing the yield of beans.

The present invention relates to a new method for increasing the yieldof beans by means of a known cyclopropanecarboxamide.

It has already been known that the yield of crops can be increased bybreeding plant varieties providing high yields of the harvestedproducts, or by methods for chemically regulating the plant growth etc.Moreover, there have recently been conducted methods for artificiallyproducing plant varieties with high yields by using plant generecombinant technology.

As to beans, as a positive method for increasing the yield, particularlyplant breeding has been adopted hitherto, whereas a method for chemicalregulation of the plant growth has not been conducted until now.

It has also been described already thatN-(R)-[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamide(=Carpropamid) shows fungicidal activity and can particularly beemployed for the control of Pyricularia oryzae on rice (see EP-A 0 341475).

It has now been found thatN-(R)-[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamideof the formula

is very suitable for increasing the yield of beans.

Thus, the present invention consists in a method for increasing theyield of beans by treating the plants and/or their habitat, particularlythe seeds and/or their habitat, with the compound of the formula (I).

It is very surprising that the compound of the formula (I) according tothe invention is outstandingly effective for increasing the yield ofbeans, since it has only been known until now that this compound issuitable for the control of fungi.

The structural formula (I) shows that the compound comprises threeasymmetrically substituted carbon atoms, wherein the carbon atom betweenthe NH-group and the phenyl ring has the R-configuration. Thus, theproduct can be present as a mixture of isomers or in the form of asingle optically active component. The individual isomers are theN-(R)-[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-(1S)-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamideof the formula

and theN-(R)-[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-(1R)-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamideof the formula

The compound of the formula (I) and the individual isomers thereof areknown (see EP-A 0 341 475).

The compound of the formula (I) according to the invention has thecommon name “Carpropamid”. It is well known as a fungicide foragricultural use (cf. “NOYAKU YORAN” (Agrochemicals Handbook) 1999, p.546-547, published by NIPPON SHOKUBUTSU BOEKI KYOKAI (Japan PlantProtection Association). Hereinafter the compound of the formula (I) isreferred to as “Carpropamid”.

Carpropamid is very effective for increasing the yield of beans. Forthis purpose, it is preferably applied to the seeds of beans beforesowing.

When the yield increasing agent according to the invention ispractically used, seeds of beans can be previously treated,specifically, for example, they can be drenched or dressed withformulations comprising Carpropamid, preferably before sowing.

In case of drenching, for example, seeds of beans are drenched for aperiod of time between 10 minutes and 16 hours by usually using a liquidformulation comprising Capropamid, preferably comprising the activecompound at a concentration between 1 ppm and 1000 ppm, particularlypreferably between 2.5 ppm and 500 ppm. By sowing and cultivating thesetreated seeds of beans, an increase in yield of beans can be achieved.

In case of seed dressing, seeds of beans are in general dressed by usingpowders, wettable powders etc. comprising in general between 0.05 and30% by weight, particularly between 0.1 and 25% by weight ofCarpropamid. By sowing and cultivating seeds of beans thus treated, theyield of beans can be increased.

Further, it is possible to treat the seeds of beans themselves withcoating agents comprising Capropamid.

Furthermore, when the yield increasing agent according to the presentinvention is used, it is also possible to treat the seeds of beans withCarpropamid by soil-treatment, for example by mixing Carpropamid withthe soil or by spreading, in each case before sowing the seeds.

As specific examples of beans, whose yield can be increased by using theyield increasing agent of the present invention, there can be mentioned,for example, soybeans, peas, adzuki beans, peanuts, kidney beans etc.

In order to use Carpropamid as a yield increasing agent, it can beapplied in the form of various types of formulations. In case of usingCarpropamid by drenching, the formulations can be used in the form ofliquid formulations, and as specific examples thereof there may bementioned wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, solutions,liquids, AL formulations, aqueous suspensions etc. and in case of seeddressing there may be mentioned powders, wettable powders etc. Further,seed coating agents can may be mentioned.

In case of mixing Carpropamid with the soil, powders are mentioned as apreferred examples.

These formulations can be prepared by per se known methods, for example,by mixing Carpropamid with extenders, namely liquid or solid diluents orcarriers, optionally together with surface-active agents, namelyemulsifiers and/or dispersants. In case of using water as an extender,an organic solvent for example, can be used as an auxiliary solvent.

As liquid diluents or carriers there can be generally mentioned aromatichydrocarbons (for example, xylene, toluene, alkylnaphthalene etc.),chlorinated aromatic or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (for example,chlorobenzenes, ethylene chlorides, methylene chloride etc.), aliphatichydrocarbons [for example, cyclohexane etc. or paraffins (for example,mineral oil fractions etc.)], alcohols (for example, butanol, glycol andtheir ethers, esters etc.), ketones (for example, acetone, methyl ethylketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone etc.), strongly polarsolvents (for example, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide etc.),water etc.

As solid diluents there can be mentioned, for example, ground naturalminerals (for example, kaolin, clay, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite,montmorillonite, diatomaceous earth etc.), ground synthetic minerals(for example, highly dispersed silicic acid, alumina, silicates etc.)etc.

As solid carriers for granules there can be mentioned, for example,crushed and fractionated rocks (for example, calcite, marble, pumice,sepiolite, dolomite etc.), synthetic granules of inorganic and organicmeals, particles of organic materials (for example, sawdust, coconutshells, maize cobs, tobacco stalks etc.).

As surface-active agents there can be mentioned nonionic and anionicsurface-active agents, for example, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters,polyoxyethylene fatty acid alcohol ethers (for example, alkylarylpolyglycol ethers), alkylsulphonates, alkylsulphates, arylsulphonatesetc.

Dispersants include, for example, ligninsulphite waste liquor and methylcellulose.

Tackifiers can also be used in formulations (powders, granules,emulsions). As said tackifiers there can be mentioned, for example,carboxymethyl cellulose, natural and synthetic polymers (for example,gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate etc.).

Colorants can also be used. As said colorants there can be mentionedinorganic pigments (for example, iron oxide, titanium oxide, PrussianBlue etc.), organic dyestuffs (for example, alizarin dyestuffs, azodyestuffs, metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs etc.), and trace nutrientssuch as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum,zinc etc.

Said formulations can contain generally between 0.1 and 95% by weight,preferably between 0.5 and 90% by weight of Carpropamid.

In case of seed treatment, Carpropamid can be used in the proportion ofgenerally between 0.001 and 1 g, preferably between 0.01 and 0.2 g per 1kg of seeds.

Further, in case of soil treatment, Carpropamid can be used at theconcentration of 0.00001-0.5% by weight, preferably 0.0001-0.1% byweight at the point of action.

Then the present invention will be described more specifically byexamples. However, the present invention should not be restricted tothem in any way. Parts in compounding amounts mean parts by weight.

EXAMPLES Test Example 1

Test of Yield Increasing Effect on Soybeans

Preparation of a Solution

1 Part by weight of Carpropamid, 20 parts by weight ofN,N-dimethylfonnamide and 3 parts by weight of surface-active agent(methanol:Sorpol BDB:Sorpol DS=2:1:1) were mixed and diluted withdistilled water to the prescribed concentration.

Testing Procedure

30 Grains of soybean seeds (Variety: Halosoy) were drenched in thesolution of the prescribed concentration prepared as mentioned above for12 hours and these drenched bean seeds were sown in the proportion of 2grains per point with 20 cm distance between the stocks and at 2 cmdepth. After germination they were thinned out so that one better grownplant remained at each point. They were controlled as soybeancultivation until harvest after 110 days after sowing.

Soybean plants were pulled out at the harvest time, dried by hanging ina cold and dark place. After that the grains were threshed and dried ina drier (100° C., 8 hours) so that the water content in soybeans becameuniform.

Before pulling out, the number of the abortive pods and the number ofthe grown pods were counted. After threshing, dried plants were weighed.After soybeans had been dried, the number of grains, one grain weightand total grain weight for each treated section were measured. In thenon-treated section, soybeans were drenched in tap water for 10 minutes,sown without drying in the air, and cultivated in the same manner.

Yield increasing index (%): Yield increasing index when yield (g) in thenon-treated section is 100%.

Productive grain increasing index (%): Increasing index when averagenumber of the productive grains in the non-treated section is 100%(calculated based upon the number of the productive grains per plantafter selection of soybeans).

One grain weight (g): Weight per grain of a selected bean, aftereliminating unripe beans and beans out of standard by selection, afterthreshing and drying the soybeans (no significant difference by Fstatistical test)

Results

Test results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Concen- Yield increasing Productive grain One grain Activetration index per plant increasing index weight component (ppm) (%) (%)(g) Carpropamid 1000 132.2 126.8 0.23 Carpropamid 100 169.1 163.4 0.23Carpropamid 10 173.1 163.5 0.23 Carpropamid 1 131.1 127.1 0.23non-treated — 100 100 0.22

FORMULATION EXAMPLES FORMULATION EXAMPLE 1

Water-dispersible Granules

20 Parts of Carpropamid, 30 parts of sodium ligninsulfonate, 15 parts ofbentonite and 35 parts of calcined diatomaceous earth powder werethoroughly mixed with water. The resulting product was granulated bymeans of extrusion through a 0.3 mm screen. After drying the product,water-dispersible granules were obtained.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 2

Aqueous Suspension

4 Parts of Carpropamid, 3 parts of Newkalgen FS-26 (made by Takemoto Oil& Fat Co., Ltd.; a compounded surface-active agent of polyoxyethylenetristyryl phenyl ether and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate), 0.5 parts ofSAG-10 (made by Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd.; 14% silicone emulsion), 10parts of glycerol, 0.18 parts of xanthan gum, 1 part of bentonite, 0.06parts of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 81.26 parts of water werestirred and ground in a Dyno mill to make a uniform aqueous suspension.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for increasing the yield of beanscomprising applying carpropamid as the only yield-increasing compound tobeans and/or to the habitat of beans.
 2. A method according to claim 1wherein carpropamid is applied to seeds of the beans before sowing.
 3. Amethod according to claim 1 wherein carpropamid is applied to seeds ofthe beans by drenching.
 4. A method according to claim 1 whereincarpropamid is applied to seeds of the beans by dressing.
 5. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein carpropamid is applied to seeds of thebeans by treating the soil with the compound of the formula (I) beforesowing the seeds.
 6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the seeds aredrenched with a liquid formulation comprising carpropamid in aconcentration between 1 and 1000 ppm.
 7. A method according to claim 3wherein the seeds are drenched for a period of time between 10 minutesand 16 hours.
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein carpropamid isapplied as the only yield-increasing compound to seeds of soybeans,peas, adzuki beans, or kidney beans.